Services for Students with Disabilities Recognition Reception, 2019

Services for Students with Disabilities hosted its annual Recognition Reception Thursday, April 11. During this heart-warming event, students registered with SSD personally shared their appreciation of individual faculty and staff members who have inspired, encouraged or supported them in their endeavors at Binghamton University.

In addition to the tributes given by students, SSD recognizes faculty and staff who have gone beyond compliance to promote access. This year, Coulter Ward, then-assistant dean of student affairs for the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Jennifer Gillis, associate professor of psychology, were awarded the Beyond Compliance Award.

The B. Jean Fairbairn Access Award went to Binghamton University alumni Paul and Sylvia Aversano. Through their generous donation, SSD has created a state-of-the-art multi-purpose space that will transform the experience for students with disabilities on our campus beginning in fall 2019. The space will include a large communal study area, state-of-the-art assistive technology and training rooms and give us the ability to increase student independence and a sense of community on campus.

The B. Jean Fairbairn Access Award was established in 2016 in honor of the founding director of Services for Students with Disabilities. B. Jean Fairbairn started SSD almost 40 years ago — when there were 18 registered students — and led SSD until her retirement in 2016. The award recognizes an individual or individuals whose efforts and contributions have made a significant impact in improving the services and access for students with disabilities at Binghamton.